HUNTING: Concern about Chronic Wasting Disease on rise as deer season approaches

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By Ben Destefan

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Ben Destefan

Posted Nov. 23, 2012 at 12:00 PM

By Ben Destefan

Posted Nov. 23, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Two recently confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease found on a deer farm located in New Oxford has raised some concern statewide as hunters prepare for Pennsylvania's firearms season that opens Monday.

The disease, which attacks the animal's brain, is fatal in deer, elk and moose, but there is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, CWD has not been found in wild whitetail deer populations anywhere in the state. However, in response to the positive cases found among the same captive herd in Adams County, the PGC has issued an executive order to establish a Disease Management Area (DMA) in portions of Adams and York counties.

As per the PGC website, those intending to hunt within the boundaries of the DMA will need to follow specific regulations in order to cooperate with the agency's aggressive approach toward the issue.

First, all hunter-harvested deer during the two-week firearms season (Nov. 26-Dec. 8) within the DMA are required to be taken to a mandatory check station for examination. For convenience, all cooperating processors located in the DMA will serve as check stations. The Game Commission will assume the cost of all conducted testing.

Hunters are also prohibited from transporting 'high-risk' body parts outside of the DMA, including segments of the deer's head and spinal column.

The use of urine-based attractants when in the field has also been banned as part of the executive order.

For more information about boundaries, guidelines and check stations, hunters should visit the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us

The Game Commission is not requiring sportsmen hunting outside of the DMA to take any additional precautions regarding CWD during the state's upcoming rifle season.

The first confirmed case of CWD was found by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at the New Oxford farm in October with the second infected deer being discovered two weeks ago at the same location.

Aside from the Adams County site, 27 additional farms in 16 counties thought to be associated with the positive findings have been quarantined by the agriculture department, meaning deer cannot move on or off the properties.

Pennsylvania was the 23rd state with a confirmed case of CWD, which has no known method of treatment.

Since 1998, the state's agriculture department and Game Commission have annually conducted a vast monitoring program for signs of the disease, with all deer testing negative prior to October.